Oh hey, what's this?

Zone Mortalis.

Lots and lots and lots of Zone Mortalis.

Currently gluing to base plates to match the Necromunda 2017 set.

Day 168 proper.

Making up Necromunda Zone Mortalis tiles. So far, I’m repeating the cardboard ones that came with the relaunched boxed set what feels like forever ago.

I’ve also got Markets, Gang Strongholds, Cranes, Crates, Barrels, Power Generators and all sorts of…of….of…guff to make use of.

Need to dig out more walls. And I’m certain I’ve got more. Somewhere.

And some mucking about with the Gang Stronghold and other bits and bobs, looking to make a permanent market for a campaign centred on founding and developing a settlement in a newly discovered dome.

Also as I’m delving into my Underhive of Opportunity, cracked out the Hive Scum/Militant Shopkeeps, alongside ‘Arry of ‘Arry and Barry Security Solutions.

Barry has now also been assembled.

I think the settlement also needs a pair of Ogryn. Could’ve sworn I had a set lurking, but they’ve not turned up.




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Found the Ogryns.

Grunt & Fill will be assembled tomorrow.

Day 169

Grunt & Fill Bovverboy. Settlement meatheads.

At some point I’ll convert or procure a suitable handler. Ideally female. Maybe a female Squat. She’ll be called Peggy.

When you know, you know.

The Necromunda Ogryn are two great models.

Shame I got like 20 of them...

For 20, you’ll be needing a decent bitz box for variation!

Just found this blog, Doc. Incredible progress. Your 30k Dark Angel scheme is simple but striking. Nice work.

Thank you

Currently deciding what needs doing today.

Probably start spraying a Necromunda floor tile. Get an idea of how long each is gonna take.

Or, more sensibly? Do some test pieces for the scheme I shared earlier.

In fact…

Day 170

Test pieces for my intended scheme. Because test pieces make sense before I risk buggering up hundreds of pounds worth of terrain.

And if these turn out well? And they should….I can always incorporate them into home made building and shacks at a later date. Because when you’re doing terrain? There’s no such thing as waste.

So…basecoat black. Any matte black acrylic spray.

Then, drybrush with Model Color “Mahogany”. Nice, simple, circular motion. This gets your dinge and surface rust.

After that? Top drybrush using Army Painter Shining Silver. Good bit lighter and more strategic.

Then stipple strong pigment atop.

FIN. Thus it’s gonna take me very little time! Reckon there’s a reasonable chance I can do a floor plate in three days. But…problemo. I’m suuuuper low on Black Spray right now. And Friday is payday. I’ll work round it as best I can, and check the Magic Box O’Stuff, as I may have forgotten cans lurking.




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Have also got some domes and pipe stacks in the spray box, ready for tomorrow.

Downside? I really, really need to think about where the blinking flip I’m gonna keep all this terrain.

Spesh as I’ve got in the region of 14, possibly 16 of those Cargo Containers! But those provide opporchancity. Get a rotary cutter and I make shops for my settlement. And getting them stacked atop each other can add height, run-unders and what have you.

And a cheeky kit bash from whatever was on hand at the time.

Needs more hanging cable dooberies on the gantry, make it look less dull.

It looks very good, actually looks like a working substation or such.

Looking forward to getting some proper colour on it in the coming days. But I’ve other stuff in the spray box to go first.

All neat

Have decided the big scenery piece needs a control panel or two. Maybe three. I’ve certainly enough bits floating around for that.

You really like Little Shop of Horrors, don't you Doc...

I may have an Audrey II tattoo….

Day 171

Some big old chimneys, ready to block line of sight and add visual interest.

Mahogany drybrush done. Next step is Shining Silver drybrush. After that? Some interest colours, break up the monotony.

Splodginess Abounds!

Really, really liking the Screamer Pink over the dinge. It’s a nice pop of colour, without overwhelming the murk.

The orange I used was Trollslayer Orange. It’s worked well enough, but not entirely happy with it. But It Will Do.

All in all that’s about an hours work from black undercoat.


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Hmm. For the more open tiles, wonder if using texture paint to create piles of muck might add some character.

Muck might be good. Could you also use flat plates to create large floor panels to break up the surface?

The floor plates for Necromunda have quite a lot of greebling as standard, which certainly helps them not look inherently boring.

Add in scatter terrain (tank traps here, barricades there, barrels, boxes, cranes, traction engines etc) and even an empty tile soon becomes quite busy.

Muck piles are mostly for visual interest and variety. Or, I could get some tiiiiny little mushrooms to be growing out of the muck. Suggest the organic remains of something unfortunate and the circle of life and that.

Day 172

First significant sized piece of terrain undercoated, ready for the same old process.

I may just take this up to the silver drybrush stage tonight. Whilst I’ve a lot of paint pots, too many have proven to be dried out, including my Averland Sunset. So want to leave the primary colour splodging until tomorrow, when I’ve had a chance to buy some more.

In terms of the drybrushing, the crevicey details really benefit from getting a fresh brush of silver first. Helps them standout, and in case the brush is a bit overloaded, that’s where I mind it the least. Just a wee tip there for anyone also looking to follow the scheme.


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Also? Evil Brain Thoughts have me pretty convinced I could apply this technique and scheme to Chaos Knights…and thus reasonably knock out a Knight a day.

Evil Brain is being told to shut up.

And what do we do during meetings that should’ve been emails? Drybrush scenery! Yaaaaay! Maybe 20 or so minutes work here. It’s a bit heavy here and there, but the metallic top drybrush should knock that back, and the forthcoming colour splodges will likewise tone it all down a fair amount. Pipe work will also get the odd spot colour here to break the monotony.

Trust the process! Looking much better with the silver drybrush.

Splodge colours being done tomorrow to finish.




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Also?

Now out of black spray! More tomorrow.

Day 173

Oddly bumper day, as it’s SHOPPING DAY!!!!

2 x Thatos Platforms, 2 x Thatos Hab Unit, 1 x Thatos Extended Hab Unit, 3 x Chaos Black Spray*, 1 x Averland Sunset pot, 1 x Mephiston Red pot.§

Painting wise I’ve some traction engines ready, and four Munitorum Containers in the process of being sprayed.


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Wait. Very sudden change of plan, as I now have a hospital appointment at 6:30, and I don’t really know how long that’ll take.

Soooooo….gonna do the colour splodges on the big bit of terrain and call that a day. Which is now done.

Sudden hospital appointments are rarely fun. Good luck!

You going to vary the colors on the terrain, or keep things uniform?

I’ll see how I feel on the colours. I may stick to the same ones (I’m really taken with Screamer Pink for instance), or I might mix it up.

Also playing around with other Sector Mechanicus bits and bobs, seeing what I like and what’s perhaps bits intensive.

Both are good, but I’ll agree that the pink is a bit better. Although it doesn’t really read as pink in the pictures.

It doesn’t read as pink in real life either 🤣

It’s a nicely dark purple finish, and reminds me of colours I’d associate with 70’s stuff. Though it might be 60’s. Certainly it was always cheap paint that looked knackered by the mid 80’s. And it really adds to the dinge.

Taking my mind off the hospital visit with a bit more hobby.

Two containers, two traction engines (one hidden by the containers) and four random pipe terrain. Got another two containers in the spray box drying.

Think I overdid the silver on the pipework and traction engines. Nothing that can’t be fixed though. First up will be colour splodges on any particularly flat areas, followed by Agrax Earthshade where needed to knock back shine, or deepen shadows.

20 or so minutes of stippling with Mephiston Red. And I’m well chuffed with the outcome.

Brush used (and heavily abused) is an Army Painter Hobby Druybrush. Not great at drybrushing, but bristles and short and tough enough to do a great job at stippling.

Day 174

Build day today, as I want to itch the kit building scratch. Really solid finished product too. Also either got a killer hangover, or another migraine. Might be both. So that’s been “fun”.

One set of platforms assembled, and some more walkways to go. Looks like by the time I’m done, I should be able to easily populate a 6x4 board with some decent height. And as the footprint of platforms is surprisingly modest, there’s room for plenty of scatter terrain beneath. I’m also intrigued to see if the Hab Modules are modular. They’re designed with removable roofs for ease of playing. But I’m wondering if the walls will have sufficient structure to also be removable. If they are? I’ll have greater flexibility from the kits I’ve got.

And happy to report that yes, the Hab Unit is entirely modular, sitting quite snugly on the platform without the need for glue. So I can now merrily vary the height of the platforms.

I never used stippling wide scale but I did it for some parts of my imperial guards and that came out very well, so when I do my space marines somewhere in the years to come I might just go for that.

Day 175

And that’s a tall Hab Unit/platform assembled. And I’m now running low on plastic glue, so it’ll be feet on, wander to Chaos Cards and fingers crossed they’ve got plakky glue in stock.

Also random but pleasing? The connecting walkways aren’t particularly uniform in length.

And a modicum of brush work.

Castellan Green on the pipes isn’t popping as I’d like, but I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve got it in position on some painted board tiles. But I’m really enjoying the results on the Munitorum Containers.

Very nice, I always get excited for Necromunda stuff and you've been doing a lot of it lately!
I agree with the castellan green not popping, it's a very desaturated colour, a more forest green would be better.
Look forward to seeing more!

Thank you

I’m really enjoying painting this terrain. It’s a pleasing mix of quick to do, and a decent result. Got two more Containers undercoated, ready to go this evening (or maybe lunchtime) plus another Hab Module and set of Platforms & Walkways to assemble.

And of course a lot of Zone Mortalis to go.

Day 176

Quick build project. The crane’s being floor mounted always annoyed me. So I’ve made a tower of sorts.

Once the glue has had a chance to properly set, I’ll bung some railings up top.




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Crane unit currently in the spray box.

Also been looking at the rest of my extension collection of stuff. WarCom’s Necromunday also reminded me we’re getting ruined Zone Mortalis stuff in the coming weeks/months.

Which is gonna mean more spending, as I’ve still ZM tiles needing bits and bobs.

So I think my current plan is to get the ZM stuff I’ve glued to baseplates painted, then await the ruined stuff for greater variety.

Does look better raised up.

Day 177

Back on the brushes. Two containers with their mahogany brown drybrush down. Giving them a good chance to dry, as it’s pretty humid here. Then it’s on with the Shining Silver drybrush. From there? One Trollslayer Orange and t’other Averland Sunset.

Though I am tempted to do one in blue and orange. See, Mah Paw worked in shipping most of his adult life, and latterly for P&O Nedlloyd, who have orange and blue as their company colours. Just a nice wee homage to Daddykins.




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Hmm.

Think I’m gonna do a self challenge this weekend. Buy, Build, Paint and Base a squadron of Xiphon’s in a day, starting at 10am when my FLGS opens.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Think I’m gonna do a self challenge this weekend. Buy, Build, Paint and Base a squadron of Xiphon’s in a day, starting at 10am.

In 40K scale!!!

Don’t be silly. I can’t abide resin kits, especially for something like a flyer!

It is of course Epic Scale. I’ll lay out the glue, tools and paints needed Friday night, and remember not to go get pissed on the same night.

Love the crane higher up. There has been debate in my group about whether to base these or not base the necromunda habs. To be fair, I don't own them (already have the equivalent of two necro boards) but what are your thoughts?

I don’t think they need basing, as even the highest is pretty stable by design, provided you’ve assembled them correctly.

That being said? A 50mm base under each of the feet wouldn’t do any harm, but I’m not gonna bother.

Day 178

What have I done today? In the words of the late Paul Daniels? Not a lot!

Had a work day of endless meetings, and a day long migraine to match which was…fun, I guess?

But the Hobby Train must still trundle along, even if it’s under emergency power.

Some yellow down on a container.

Day 179

Third container done.

Looks good. Would be fun to turn these containers into a grimdark train.

I do have a pair of the rail trolley bed things that come with the Cranes.

I quite fancy on the fly rules for deploying them hooked up to one of the traction engines, where a successful Intelligence test will allow the player to set the traction engine running, for mobile terrain. Maybe only slow, like 2” a turn.


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Also? Now dog sitting tomorrow, so my extra special “6 months of hobby every day” challenge is being postponed to Sunday.

Currently arranging procurement of the Xiphons I want for that.

Day 180

And it’s……another container! Only 12 more to go (yes, I found another one lurking).

Realistically I think I’ll sell on some of those still on sprue, as 16 is too many.

No hobby so far today, as I’m pup sitting.

But in pondering what next and how? I remembered I own The Tarpaulin Of Fortuitousness.

It’s a brand new in packaging blue tarp that blew into my front garden during a storm last year, with no obvious building works to which I might’ve returned it.

And I’m gonna use it to help get my Zone Mortalis stuff sprayed up, as I can lay it out to protect the front garden from the spray.

Thanks, weather - theather

Day 181

Just a smidge today, but progress is progress.

Amazing work, Mad Doc. Impressive hobby progress this year - can't believe how well you've stuck to the goal, but the results show it pays off!

Who knew I could exercise self discipline?

Not me!

But today is the day. Time for a shower, then it’s round to Chaos Cards to buy a box of Xiphon Interceptors, back home and on with “can I buy, build and paint a unit in a single day”.

Not bad for the half way points!

Day 182

Big daft self challenge day!

Xiphons procured around 10am. Pit stop at Sainsbury’s for snacks.

Now, at 11:26am, assembly is complete. Next step is probably the longest, and that’s spraying Mechanicus Standard Grey, mostly due to drying time. Just gonna give the plakky glue half or or so to cure, and on with the spray.

Approximately half way through. Mech Standard Grey basecoat, Gun Metal drybrush.

Next is the grim black, and detailing.

First side of grim black done. Once that’s dry, I’ll do the underside.

Underside done. Currently 16:26pm. Most of the time elapsed has been drying time. Well on course to finish these puppies off today.






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Mild freak out there, as I was checking if the underside had dried (it hasn’t*), when I heard the sound of a jet fighter.

Turns out there’s an air show on nearish me. Which must suck for the spectators, are its a slate grey sky out there after a couple of weeks of nice weather.

*Army Painter’s Grim Black is my current favourite contrast-a-like black, but good gravy it takes an age to dry!


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Aaaand here comes the migraine. Because of course.

Challenge is sadly a bogey, but it’s kind of hard to paint when bits of your vision are missing.

Day 183

It’s half time! I’m exactly half way through my Hobby Odysset. And rapidly running out of intended projects.

But today I’m afraid is a low effort day, as absolutely mare at work which has drained my poor sad brain.

So I’ve gone back over the green pipes, this time with Straken Green. Still a gloomy shade, but stands out much better.

Congrats on reaching the half way point!

Better luck next time on the challenge, gives you an excuse to buy another box of planes and try again. My wife gets migraines they are bloody awful to live with.

Day 184

Back on the Xiphons. Metallics done, thin wash next I think followed by the usual washes.

Canopy needs something, and probably something relatively fancy.

I think a deepish blue, then a dot/streak of a lighter one.

Pretty happy with how the canopies came out.

And now, just the bases to go, but first I should cook dinner.

I've seen people use Pylar Glacier (I think) for canopy glass on Battlemechs, so I imagine it'd work for tiny planes, too.

Went with Macragge Blue, then a spot/splodge of 1:1 Macragge Blue to Baharroth Blue.

Turned out about nice.

That plan for the canopy sounds like it would be a good one.

Extreme close up!



Whoooooooaaaaaaaa!





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The nose needs something, but I’m not currently sure what.

I’ll sleep on it, see how k feel in the morning.

Day185

Busy work day and off to a local music gig in a bit, plus my weekly appointment was cancelled affecting plans.

So just a wee bit done today, with some pipework. Made one vertical, because I can. It also creates greater variety in scatter terrain.




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And now I come to the dreaded period. When I shall be on Orkney, and several hundred miles away from my models, tools, paints and books.

What to do to maintain hobby? I think I have a plan.

Take my Legions Imperialis Books (bag is hold baggage due to shampoo needed for my luscious locks) and the Angels of Death Codex, so I can write some army lists. One practical (Epic) one speculative (2nd Ed Dark Angels)

Is still hobby! Still counts!

Day 186

More pipework assembled.

Day 187

Jeebus.

Where to start. First off, I should be in Kirkwall, Orkney right now. But thanks to a security alert, Heathrow airport being incapable of handling any kind of rush or organise queues, wasn’t able to board as I was still stuck pre-security.

And so I’m back home. With nothing particularly planned. Think I’m gonna cop out, spray some pipework black and sod off to the pub to try to erase this absolute of an anus from memory.

Sorry to hear your weekend has been spoiled, Doc.

I sprayed some bits!

It still counts. I mean, on days when I really couldn’t be arsed I built a solitary Heresy Assault Marine, this still counts 🤣🤣

Mostly bummed as I was going to see my Dad for a family holiday, and had bought him an antique book about walking Orkney as a deliberately late birthday present.

Also, Stenness is undergoing a final dig this year, before being buried again for preservation of the site.

Upside? I don’t have to spend time in my cretinous brother’s presence. So….swings and roundabouts!

Hey, progress is progress.

Right, today I do a decent amount of productivity.

Going to build a large scenery piece, and get more stuff finished spraying.

Tomorrow I’m going to Heathrow and back to reclaim me bag.

Day 188

Not quite as productive as I hoped, as I’m still drained from yesterday’s stress and shenanigans. Helluva way to find out middle age has hit me there too!

But, first drybrush down on this big lad. Just need to let the big brush dry, then on with the Shining Silver drybrush.

Also I’ve checked, and despite the crane there is space up top for 20mm based models.

And the shining silver done.

I think I’ll do the cylinder in green, crane in yellow?

Crane itself is gonna need some work.

I do like the yellow, but on the struts it’s just not popping. Hopefully some Agrax will works it miracles, and I’m sure there’s an ancient pot of Typhus Corrosion somewhere in the Magic Box O’Stuff.

Day 189

Another mare of a day I don’t care to get into. But did some spot wash with Agrax Earthshade.

First pic is the side I’ve not done, second pic is the side I have done. Amazing how just rough splodgage of an amazing paint adds depth and definition. Just the hint of muck and grime around the fixy bits.

Big crane now finished, as I did the other side.

Time to finish spraying what’s in the spray box, ready for laterer

Nice work on the crane. How’s the table look? Got enough coverage to get a nice diorama pic?

Sadly I don’t have a gaming table. But here’s a group shot atop the Magic Box O’Stuff.

Definitely getting there in terms of potential coverage, especially once I’ve got the Hab Modules and associated gubbins done.

Nice!

Even if you don’t have a table, floorhammer is always an option…

… but mostly for younger folks.

But a couple of folding tables a a rolled up mat can be nice to have.

Thankfully I’ve a FLGS minutes from my door with a good amount of gaming space, and plastic storage tubs for ease of transport, and potentially leaving there. They’ve a smattering of their own terrain and it doesn’t seem to get trashed, otherwise I wouldn’t consider leaving my own there - with their permission, natch.

Also got 12 more Containers, 11 on sprue. Gonna look into conversion STLs and ask my 3d print mate to do me some bits. But realistically I’ll probably sell a few off.

Day 190

Bah, stuff in the spray box wasn’t ready. So stopgap achieved, painting the send engine tractor thing.

Will need a bit of detailing here and there, but it is board ready.

Super basic ‘detailing’. Spot wash, and a bit of Averland Sunset, the miracle yellow.

Does the tractor have somewhere for crew, or is it meant to be a servitor?

No space for crew. The smaller one does have a space where someone could stand though. Mostly they’re for scatter terrain, interesting LoS blockers.

Got another pair and another crane lurking. Unsure what I want to do with them.

Day 191

Spraying complete. Should have this stuff knocked out in the next couple of days.

Day 192

Pipes and platforms dry brushed. Now to decide which colours I’m stippling. Think I fancy more red. Or perhaps Screamer Pink again.

One on the left would make a nice space station

So. Yeah.

Streak may well be broken soon. Just found out my Dad died this morning, so I’m in pieces as that me an orphan now.

May yet be hobby to be done like as it is a decent distraction, but head is all over the place.

Oh, god. So sorry Doc, that's awful. We're here for whatever an of us can do to help mate.

Sincerely sorry for your loss, God bless you in this hardship.

Right.

Have come to a decision.

Gonna give me as much time as I need to grieve and be on the wonk as I need.

But when I return to the odyssey? It’ll be a new day 193, and I’ll maintain it until day 366 (being a leap year)

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Right.

Have come to a decision.

Gonna give me as much time as I need to grieve and be on the wonk as I need.

But when I return to the odyssey? It’ll be a new day 193, and I’ll maintain it until day 366 (being a leap year)

Sounds like a plan. Do what you need to do. We’ll be here for when you are ready to blog again. Or for whatever.

Hang in there.

Yeah that wreked it.

I’ll ressurect the thread when I’m not mental from grief.

Very sorry for your loss too, if that means anything from random internet person. As someone with elderly parents I can imagine the feeling. Look forward to whenever you feel better and further blogging if you are still into it.

With the unpleasantness still unpleasant but some vague resemblance of normality required?

Bought a box of Fire Raptors today. Will do some building tomorrow I think.

You alright Doc?

Good thing if the modelling is of a tiny little help...

There is something to be said for the hobby as a distraction. You need to focus your attention on little details, so sometimes that pushes all the rest of life’s issues out of your head. And you can accomplish something positive, even if it’s as small as cleaning mold lines.

Small victories, but still tiny little wins.

Hang in there.

 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
You alright Doc?

Good thing if the modelling is of a tiny little help...

Kind of alright?

Without dramatic back story, I’ve lived 500ish miles from my folks for near 20 years now, so I’m well used to not seeing them. I don’t think it’s really gonna sink in until the funeral and I’m staying in a house now devoid of parents.

But! I have solid support network and am otherwise unfazed by life. Just braced for that oncoming kick in the fork.

Bit of hobby will defo help cushion the blow.

Andy Chambers said once that mini painting is therapeutic

Day 193

Still not all there, but with the funeral coming up next Saturday, felt it’s time to enforce reality to intrude.

And so I’ve built a brace of Fire Raptors. Nice little kit, and the ball turrets are swappable. They sit in snugly enough not to need pinning or glue, but not so snug you risk damaging the barrels on what’s being switched out.

Tomorrow I’ll get some painting done.

They're very nice models, always liked the Fire Raptor in any scale

Fire Raptors are awesome. Easily one of my favorite Heresy-era vehicles (perhaps second only to the Sicaran tank).

Heal at your own pace, friend. There's no right or wrong way. The funeral will help a little bit with closure (at least, it did for me when my grandpa died a couple of years ago). We're all here for you buddy!

Ok. Right.

Tomorrow I’ll have been back at work for a week, so it’s definitely time to get back to hobbling.

Might be painting my Cataphractii, might be assembling Epic scale Sicaran variants. But something Hobby will be done. Just need to start small, get back into the rhythm.

Good to see you back at it!

Woot, look forward to it

Oh hey, you back!

Day 194

To recap? I’ll keep the “streak” going until I hit 366 days, to offset the real world induced break.

And today, as promised? Teeny tiny Sicarans. Having a rest, then will build the other four turrets. Tomorrow I’ll build the other box of Sicarans. Same as these, to be equipped with Lascannon sponsons. Army wise that’ll give me 8 HB chassis and 8 LC chassis, and eight of each turret variant, giving me some impressive options.

Day 195

End of the working week, so pub night.

Built the remaining missile turrets from the first set of Sicarans.

Tomorrow I’ll do the other four tanks, and buy the new Necromunda book, and at least one box of Sabres.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Day 195

End of the working week, so pub night.

Built the remaining missile turrets from the first set of Sicarans.

Tomorrow I’ll do the other four tanks, and buy the new Necromunda book, and at least one box of Sabres.

Excited to see this! Also, I miss Friday Happy Hours and / or Pub nights. Hard to do with a tiny person around (without your Significant other getting annoyed!)

Oh we’ve a special pub night coming up end of September. Local is doing a “Fantasy Music Night”. At least five of us are going, and I’m tempted to dust off my LARP gear.

Day 196

Built two more Sicaran hulls so far, with Lascannon sponsons. Will do the other two tonight as well, maybe the turrets too.

Smol tanks. I think I'd need new glasses for these.

Day 197

Sicaran turrets all finished. And I can now field 8 of any given variant released so far, making for some decent army options.

Thankfully despite now being depressingly middle aged, my eyesight is really good. Which is amazing when you think about it.

If I may, what kind of LARP could one so deranged as you pull out, Doc?

Mostly life getting in the way, and not being as sprightly as I once was.

Might be going back next year. There’s still stuff an old git can do that doesn’t involve two hour long battles!

Also hobby wise, got my Sicarans and Fire Raptors sprayed Mechanicus Standard Grey, the first step in my five step painting plan, ready for tomorrow.

Keep at it Mad Doc, painting has always been a good distraction.

Cheers,

CB

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
my eyesight is really good. Which is amazing when you think about it.

Day 198

Bumper activity today. Kind of.

Fire Raptors and Sicarans, plus bonus Sicaran turrets from the last lot, all undercoated yesterday, and Gun Metal drybrushed today.

Tomorrow I’ll Grim Black them. And do the ball turrets for the Fire Raptors.

I wish we had a like button here so I could register my interest even though I don't really have any input

I think you can subscribe to threads?

Oh I meant my interest in each post. I'll just say 'looks great!'

Got to admit, after decades of not really painting, it’s kinda weird to be buying, building and painting stuff within a few weeks of buying.

Fastest I’ve done was probably the second squadron of regular Sicarans, which went from on the shelf to fully painted in just a couple of days.

And this Saturday I nab a box of Sabres. And it’s possible I’ll be buying and building Saturday, and painting Sunday. Need to check squadron sizes though, as the main weapons don’t look swappable without serious faffage.

Day 199

First stage of Grim Black done.

Then my pizza arrived, I stuffed my idiot face, and now go all relaxy.

Still on course to have all this done by end of Friday.

Great progress so far. Good to see you keeping at it. Looking forward to seeing more paint on these.

I deduce the pizza was good

It was….alright, I guess!

Today I finish the grim black. And will also sort out a lunchtime session.

Ah, lunchtime sessions. Something I've never ever experienced (I mean right now on the work place I've eaten in 20 and about to return to work). Isn't it too hard to get back to work after getting painting your minis?

I used to carry small projects around with me and work on them wherever I found myself. Now that I think of that, I might bring a project bag to work and fiddle with some Orks in the cafeteria tomorrow.

Not really. I work from home in a very thinky job, so the “and now for something completely different” works for me. Not just to relax, but something as inherently relaxing as painting allows my brain to sift through what I’ve been up to, and shake loose often case deciding thoughts.

It does help I bloody love my job.

Ah, see what you mean then.

In the army I used to paint while on guard at the company after I saw that mentioned by someone on this very forum and that's how I managed to paint my IG at long last

And Day 200

More grim black done. Taking a while, as having to do this stage in, erm, stages.

Also need to order more Grim Black, as down to last bottle and it’s starting to feel a smidge empty.

Day 201

Grim black nearly done. Just need to revisit the turrets.

Day 202

And it’s Contemptor Number…..EIGHT

Because friends are smelly and stupid. And I are tactical geenyus.

Mostly because I just bloody love Dreadnoughts.

Will also be reading some Warhammer Horror. All hobby, all counts.

EIGHT CONTEMPTORS?! I sure hope you bought 'em at a discount... or else GW's already got you on their leash

Pretty sure I got them all through various FLGS.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Pretty sure I got them all through various FLGS.

Thank the Emperor! 60 bucks for one of them in euro using countries. It's a great kit...but I mean C'mon...

Just need one more, and I can Lose Friends And Alienate People with a 3,000 fury of the ancients army.

But today I buy Sabre Tanks!

Yeah, costs one of your balls to by one (pretty sure that idiom works only in french though).

 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
Yeah, costs one of your balls to by one (pretty sure that idiom works only in french though).

That's a fantastic idiom, and I plan to use it at every available opportunity

Nice, happy you find french idiomatic poetry to your taste

OOO more LI to make me finish my own LI! Fortunately for me I already finished all the tiny dreadnaughts. But the cost for the little peoples is already becoming a bit silly for what you get (regardless of how detailed they are!)

Day 202

Four tiny Sabres. They’re almost, too wee. But a fun kit to build, and as I’ve come to expect from LI kits, go together incredibly well.

Side rockets are however a pain. The instructions aren’t as clear as they could be, but there’s a block on the side, and a notch on the hull plating to aid in accurate placement.

Got another 12 to go.

That's some incredible detail for such a tiny kit. They came out great.

It is very impressive. I still question how much of the intricacy is completely necessary, but they are at least fun to build.

And the rest of that squadron assembled.

Day 203

Four with Anvilus Autocannon Arrays. A very shooty little unit in game. And I’ve stuck with Heavy Bolter Pintel weapons, as they bring me some much needed defensive fire, whilst not being automatically awful at range.

Just four more to go. And it’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this afternoon.

And all done. Looking forward to the hopefully inevitable 28mm scale in plastic.

So many tiny tanks! Great progress!

So many, I think I’ll need to rejig my cabinets.

Also, staffer at my FLGS plays, so should be getting some games in soon.

ah, getting games, sounds great!

Means I’ll have to gulp…..read the rules!

Are the rules in tiny font?

Usual GW font

Mostly gonna involve doing myself a crib sheet of special rules guns in a given list have.

For instance, Ripple Fire. I know at least my Sicaran Arcus have that rule, and I think there’s another unit as well.

Day 204

Getting the Sabres undercoated. Need to nip out tomorrow to get some more kitchen roll, as I’ll need that for drybrushing.

Day 205

Insert Robocop theme tune.

Eighth and possibly final Contemptor under way.

Gonna be Power Fist and Chainfist, as I need a fighty one for Dreadnought and Automata tipping. Maybe even Knights and Warhounds if I feel really saucy!

Nice legs. Making good progress.

Days 206 & 207

Learning the rules for Legions Imperialis.

Days 208 and 209 were also rule reading.

Day 210 is back to the paintbrush.

Going 30K in every scale! So can you name every rule now?

Nope 🤣🤣

Gonna take a couple of games to make it stick.

Makes a pause from the painting to start again with renewed energy

Got the Nephloof visiting for the first time ever tomorrow.

He’s just a baby at a little over a year old, so will need to ensure whatever I paint tonight is up and safely away from his roving chompers before he arrives. Think I’ll stick them in the cabinet.

Day 211

All the base metals done on my Sicarans and Dakka Burds.

Should get some more done tonight, but need to let this stuff dry.

Plus, waste not want not and a small amount of Gun Metal left over? Did the pre-shade on the Sabres.

And then some Grim Black on the same.

Day 212

And that’s the Sabres done in Grim Black, barring a spot check for any missed bits tomorrow. Which I’ll do at lunch, hopefully leaving the evening free for their metallics.

Thursday, I should get most, if not all the Red Bits done.

Day 213

More work on the Sabres, and decided to glue in the side guns on the Fire Raptors. One had an Autocannon stuck in already, so paired that off, gave the other one Heavy Bolters, and slapped on the Grim Black.

Sabres got the underside of their tracks done, leaving me the rest of tomorrow evening, and the overall Reddening for Friday.

After that? Will probably get my 28mm Cataphractii done.

Day 214

Top half of Sabres done in metallic.

I was thinking of doing the whole of the Neutron Laser in metallics, but I think that might be a bit much saturation wise.

Once dry, I’ll experiment painting the far end, see how I like it.

Wow, really plowing through.

Got the last of the metallics done on the Sabres too, and a test placement for the Inevitable Red.

Should have all that stuff done and dusted tomorrow, which will mean that once again, all my Legions Imperialis stuff is fully painted.

Day 215

Lots and lots and lots of Red.

Aaaaand done. Tomorrow I’ll tot up how many points I now have painted.

Nearly done the turrets. Just the top cost of red and that’s that.

If it’s all done, time for the full army shot!

Oh yeah, full army shot!

The cabinet does need a clean, which means a tu’penny all out.

But gonna go one better than a mere Army Shot.

Instead, I’m going to do a thread in the Specialist Games bit, where I use my collection to offer visual demonstrations of minimal and maximum Formations for Legions Imperialis. And I’ll kick it off with a “here is my entire collection” pic.

Today, I think I’ll get back to those pesky Cataphractii. Lots and lots of edgy bits to be metallic, but the two characters had more, and took me next to no time.

Here goes!

Army comprises of…

2 x HQ stands
32 x Tactical Marine stands
8 x Terminator Stands
8 x Heavy Support stands
8 x Tactical Support stands
8 x Assault Marine stands
8 x Kratos Heavy Tanks*
6 x Predator Tanks**
8 x Autocannon Array Sabres
8 x Neutron Blaster Sabres
16 x Contemptors
12 x Leviathans
12 x Deredeo
8 x Sicaran***
4 x Sicaran Arcus***
4 x Sicaran Punisher***
20 x Rhino APC
8 x Spartan Assault Transports
12 x Outrider Stands
6 x Laser Destroyer Rapiers
6 x Quad Launcher Rapiers
6 x Lascannon Tarantula
6 x Missile Tarantula
18 x Scimitar Jetbike Stands
12 x Landspeeder Proteus
12 x Landspeer Javelin
6 x Xiphon Interceptor
2 x Fire Raptors

Points wise we’re probably talking in the region of 6,000 or so. Army composition I can field, not at the same time, a Demi-Company, Armoured Company, Garrison, Sky Strike Phalanx, Heavy Assault Spearhead. So pretty flexible.

About the only thing I’m really missing would be especially reliable Anti-Titan stuff. That’s not to say my only option is “leg it, Baz!”. Just that I’d have to commit to wearing the big buggers down over a few turns.

*Main gun kept interchangeable
**Turrets interchangeable
***I can field up to 8 of any one variant, as yet again, turrets are interchangeable.

Very nice!

It’s honestly kind of freaky to see. Whilst my painting is no great shakes? The size of the painted collection is reminding me of stuff in White Dwarf that helped me get hooked in the first place.

I’m definitely not going back to the the Pile Of Shame Stage. Oh there will always, always be unpainted stuff in my collection. But gone are the days of just never painting.

Day 216

Revisiting some LI where I’d not done a top coat red, and they’re all looking much brighter and more interesting for it.

Also need to do plasma glow on the relevant Deredeos, and the bases. I’m also making a Madras Curry from scratch tonight.

Oh my, that's a nice collection! Group effect often amply compensate for average paintjobs in my opinion.

Cheers man

Also remembered to do the Plasma Glow on the Deredeos.

Just need to put a wash on the bases and that’s it all done.


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And all done. Rejigged the shelving lightly, as latest acquisitions needed it.

Next up? Cataphractii.

Speaking of which? Tester done in base colours. Needs some top coats, but liking it so far.

Wee bit rough and ready, but in his squad and with basing, it’ll work well enough for me.

Nice glow

Day 217

Half the Terminators done in metallics so far. Something I didn’t expect was for the claws to take the longest. But they do.

And now, just top coats, thin wash and claw effects to go and I’ll call them done.

And with that? That’s my Terminators done.

Just that background Contemptor to go, and it’s just me Praevin to go. Which is still in blister.

Payday tomorrow, so might but said Praevin some stuff to boss around.

Nice work on those terminators.

Thank you

And now, a visual update on everything I’ve painted this year. Not including the Necromunda Terrain, as I need another cabinet for those.

And a cheeky build to round out a very productive weekend.

Legion Praevian assembled, ready for priming and that tomorrow.

Nice collection shots, that's a lot of little (And littler) dudes!

Thank you

I can’t recommend display cabinets enough. I mean, now I’m nearly done with Heresy?

Those Nids are winking at me.

Wow that's impressive!

I wanted to 'akshually' you on Tyranids blinking but I couldn't find out if its canon that they do / do not.

They most likely have at least a nictating membrane type thing. Something to protect the eye, but not necessarily block light.

Just remembered I’ve another 20 Termagants to build. So that might be a job for later in the week once the Contemptor (now done in grim black, but not pictured) and the Praevian are done.

Will also start looking up interesting, simple, Tyranid schemes, see if anything tickles my fancy.

I know, as best as I can trust my memory, their eyeballs are hard, it was mentioned in the 3rd ed codex? I think.

You’d still want something to clean them with. Otherwise, first detonation and your swarm won’t be seeing much!

Cassius defeats the Tyranid hordes by crop dusting flour onto them

Oh my, impressive shelves!

Day 218

First Metallics on the Contemptor, and realised I forgot the left arm elbow armour, which will still be on-sprue.

Also got the Praevian drybrush done.

Next up is let the Contemptor dry, before a quick tidy up of any metallic overspill with Grim Black, and I’ll do the Praevian’s Grim Black at the same time.

Also bought some new toys, specifically a box of Castellax and a box of Legions Imperialis Predators, as I fancied a second squadron.

Right. Tidy up done, Praevian in Grim Black. Also tidied up the metallics on the Dread (how did I miss an entire finger?) and put on the first red, and the chest badge things. He now just needs a thinned black wash to deepen the metallics, and top coat red.

ANGERY BOOP BEEP INTENSIFIES.

Quick purchase, as running low on Army Painter Vampire Red, and always need to make sure I’ve got Gun Metal.

And what do you know? A box of Thallax used their jet packs to nimbly entrench within my basket. The cheeky so-and-so’s.

Now I need to decide how far I’m going with Mechanicum. Current plan is just to give the Praevian and to-be-converted-Forge-Lord some dudes to boss about. But it wouldn’t take much to knock that up to a formally allied force, and from there “sod it, guess I’m doing a second army”.

And that’s an important decision. Whilst those fielded via Consuls can be done in Legion Colours? I may want to do them somewhat differently. I’m thinking the 40K scheme, but with brassy metallics. Might look crap though.

Nids do really well with contrast paints. Or other equivalents. Purple/flesh/red is like 90% of mine. And would be more, but I use a second coat of nuln oil on the red because I didn’t like the shades available at the time.

Day 219

And it’s the second Castellax underway.

I wasn’t gonna use the Darkfire Cannon, but then I realised whilst cheaper, the Mauler Bolt Cannon, due to Pinning but only AP4, is probably best off as a single loadout squad. Something to shoot up enemy infantry enmasse, with the chance of making them do precious little in their next turn.

So for this Maniple, it’s special/heavy weapons ago-go. Also, everyone loves a pinched Dark Eldar weapon roughly reverse engineered.

I will however be saving over the Combat Blade Array for the Mauler Bolt Cannon maniple.

Day 220

Second Castellax assembled. Delivery day, so awaiting that. Will also crack on with the Praevian, who should only take a couple of hours I reckon.

Three Teeny Tanks. First half of a new squadron, as I felt the first was looking a bit lonely for such a work horse classic design.

And a Thallax, because I do what I want.

Have you played any LI yet? Will it replace Epic Space Marine in your heart of hearts?

Not yet. But plans are underway to correct that.

Tonight, I’m doing an experimental Mechanicum Paintjob, using my Necromunda Ambots as test pieces.

What I’m aiming to do is use my Necromunda terrain recipe (black spray, mahogany drybrush, metallic drybrush) to do most of it.

I then want to try a brass or coppery drybrush atop, see how it looks.

If that works, same brass or copper on the armour plates, followed by a Contrast Green of some kind.

Models are in the spraybooth now, and I hope to get the bulk of that done this evening.

No pics again as I was short on time, but the test pieces (my Ambots for Necromunda) are marginally more underway today than they were yesterday, as I did the Mahogany drybrush.

Day 223

Test piece done, and I’m broadly happy with it, certainly I’m convinced I’m on the right track.

Sprayed black, then a heavy all over drybrush of Model Colour’s Mahogany, followed by a slightly lighter all-over drybrush with Army Painter Gun Metal.

That produces a “industrially dirty” metal base.

From there I used Army Painter True Copper to drybrush/stipple the armour plating, with the same areas then receiving Citadel Contrast Dark Angels Green.

Took absolutely no time at all, and it’s 90% done. It’s currently a bit dark, so I’ll be going in with some bold primary colours to pick out cables, tubes and lenses and that, give it some visual interest and better definition of its gubbins.

You getting good at it, doc

Cheers dude

Base stuff is the same as my Necromunda Terrain, so tried and trusted (and comes out looking rusted!)

I’ll give a proper looking the morning, once the Contrast has fully dried. I may want to go for a lighter green though.

Right, second one done. Same as before, but with Citadel Contrast Ork Flesh.

This I think is the one. It’s a less pigmented colour, so the contrast effect is more pronounced.

Oo, yes. I really like the green on the roght one. It pops much better with the dark metal.

Will get the other bits and bobs done, as that will lighten things somewhat and might just make the difference.

I like dark colours so I'm not bothered by the dark green, but lighter tone would probably make it more "alive" thanks to a bit more contrast. Your dudes, your call.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Will get the other bits and bobs done, as that will lighten things somewhat and might just make the difference.

Don’t know if falls under your “bits and bobs” but do you lighten up cutting blades?

I normally use dark metallics, but things like chainsword teeth, buzzsaw blades, piston shafts, etc. get hit with a brighter silver. Helps them stand out from the rest of the mini, which is especially useful on metallic heavy models.

I will be revisiting those bits for sure. As well as the base metallics being quite dark, the Ambots hunched over pose adds a lot of shadow. So some lighter metallic spots should help there.

Currently Pup Sitting, which is making hobby time trickier than normal for a Sunday. But I’ll get some done later on, once he’s had his dindins and been out for a walk.

Day 224

Revisited the lighter green Ambot. Went over with unadulterated (apart from water to thin) Gun Metal, focussing on “worky bits”. So, the saw blades, fingers, toes and flexible piping. Basically anything I think would be replaced relatively regularly, preventing it building the same patina as the more integral gubbins, as would those bits being knocked and scraped on the regular.

Also the merest dot of red here and there, which will be brightened up once dried with a top coat.

Good to see your progress continuing, Doc.

Looks much more alive now. Often think you need 3 colours before things start looking real.

* and I inadvertently turned the page. Look at the previous page everyone! *

Added a smidge more, including a thin streak of red over the eye holes, which I think really worked. Not quite OSL, but in the same wheelhouse.

Also now happy enough with my proof of concept, I’ll be cracking on with my first two Castellax today.

My wee helper is still here though, and it’s miserable out. So the initial undercoat will need to await until sensitive snoots have gone home.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, I need to keep in mind the Mechanicum stuff will have more pronounced and noticable weapons. Therefore, I’ll have more things to consider with my colour placement. Which can be a double edged sword.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Derphound is off away with his Mummy, so the Castellax have had their initial spray.

Got early bed tonight, as I need to be up at Stupid O’Clock to drive into the office tomorrow morning, so might just get the undercoat and mahogany down today.

Day 225

Ok doke. Today I begin the Castellax, with a more in-depth how to. Now I’ve got the main metal stage done, I’m considering where I want my brass/copper tone to go. Time wise, not including spraying, this was maybe 10 minutes.

Fig 1. Two Castellax, in Chaos Black. Note the Model Color “Mahogany”, and Citadel Large Drybrush.

Fig 2. The same two Castellax, with the Mahogany Drybrush. Note the Army Painter Gun Metal.

Fig 3. A halfway comparison of the Gun Metal step.

Fig 4. Two Castellax with their first two drybrushes done.

Fig 5. Last stage Castellax, Citadel small Drybrush and Army Painter True Copper.

Fig 6. First one with its copper tones applied. This was done as not-quite a drybrush technique. Couple of layers to build it up. Chunky shoulder plates, chest plate (not the head), crotch plate and limb armour to be painted Citadel Contrast Ork Flesh. Looks a bit rough now, but trust the process.

Fig 7. Both done in True Copper

Fig 8. Noodly bits on the Darkfire Cannon. Stages 5-8 took about 10 minutes in total.

Fig 9. Ork Flesh on the first one.

Gonna call it a day here, as I want that Ork Flesh fully dried before I go fiddling further. It does currently look quite dark, to the point some details are obscured. But that’s why tomorrow, provided I’m happy with the Ork Flesh (I should be!) I’ll be cracking on lightening up certain bits and bobs. Especially the emblem on the crotch plate, and the servoskull type thing embedded in the chest.

So far I think the scheme suits these guys better than the Ambot, maybe due to the more obvious weapons you mentioned, etc

Day 226

Office commute is draining, so just finished off the first Castellax. Pretty much just spot colouring the underlying metallic Skellington.

For a quick and dirty, easily replicated paint job, I’m satisfied.

No that was a slight fib. Added some red, and now I’m satisfied.

looks rad, really, good choice of colours

Thank you

It’s super quick to do (probably 45 minutes to do a boxed set, not including spray drying time), so my temptation to expand Legion Auxillaries to a formal Allied unit, then to a second army is pretty strong right now.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Definitely needs a revisit. Right now, the copper tone is top heavy. So tomorrow,I’ll give the shins and big bit of the toes a coat of True Copper. Balance it out.

Nice work Mad Doc.

Cheers,

CB

Day 227

In a boring video meeting. Did some painting, adding more copper to the lower half. And it’s balanced out quite nicely.

Definitely calling this lad done, and his buddy will be tonight’s project.

Looking superb - will you put any of the decals on it? I'm glad I axed my 30k Tsons army as those are tempting me to make a new force (none of my 40k armies have big robots).

Paintjob looks smooth.

Not normally one for decals, but I’ll have a look at the stock ones from the Mechanicum boxes.

My Dark Angels are currently going without, as I need a lot. And the official sheet, whilst gorgeous, is pricey and I’d need four or five for all the ones I need.

And the second one Ork Fleshed.

Yes it’s a slow day at work. Well. Not slow. More a Very Thinky Day, and it does me good to change track for five or ten minutes.

Looking good Doc, and the British Racing Green gives it a nice H.G. Wells vibe

Thank you

I’m really pleased with how they’re turning out, and I look forward to applying it to a whole army. But that’ll take time, as I’m not gonna bulk buy a whole new army, instead “buy, build, paint” on a monthly budget.

Not sure I’ll bother with weedy Tech Thralls though. Definitely want to go Stompy Mechs.

Also a side-by-side comparison pic to show why I wanted to lighten them up once the green was on. Just adds definition to the finer detail, and ties it altogether quite nicely.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wait, that’s a dreadful photo.

Aaaaaand done.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also nabbed a second box of Castellax. It’s dangerous when you’re a ten minute walk to your FLGS, and it’s perilously close to the supermarket.

Those I’m going to save for a special weekend self challenge. Specifically, to build and paint that unit in the same day.

Paintjob is definitely suited to that sort of challenge, so the only thing that might fail me is my hobby stamina. But I reckon if I start at 10am (gives me a lay in), I could be done as early as 4pm, provided the spray paint doesn’t leave patchy missed areas.

And one last effort before bed. Two more Thallaxi assembled. Not entirely certain I got the arms right on the third one, but it looks fine all the same.

Slightly fiddly, but tolerable.

For my next trick? This evening finish building the Thallaxi and get them sprayed. Possibly even so far as the first two drybrushes.

Tomorrow? Get them doneded, leaving me feet clear to attempt to Build and Paint the next box of Castellax.

Day 228

Going to plan so far. All six Thallaxi built. Just need to leave them to dry, then it’s into the spray box.

They're very cool models, very imposing. And they make the LI predators look very cute in comparison!

Right, ready for tomorrow.

Also bonus pic of a Space Marine mucking around with his RC Tanks, in direct contravention of the Codex Astartes, as that’s strictly a Tuesday night activity.

Being a techmarine is just the best, isn't it? Why would you want to be any other marine?

Day 229, I think

And I’ve done a Thallaxi test piece for colour placement.

Overall I’m happy with it, just need to let it dry, then whack on the Ork Flesh Contrast.

From there I imagine I’ll want to put on some lighter steel bits here and there, but that’s definitely a decision for after the Green.

Green done, and it’s definitely going to need lighter metals, and additional Copper in particular.

This is mainly because the gun being held across the chest really darkens it. Got a good idea what I want to do, and where I want to do it though.

Example of what I mean, with a rear shot.

Here there’s a much better balance of manky metal, green and copper. Won’t take much to balance the front like, but it’s definitely necessary.

Day 230

And that’s the first Thallaxi done. Bit more copper added since last night, and some Gun Metal here and there to break up the main metal colour and bring out the details.

Next up is the belated start to my Saturday Challenge. Can I build and paint a box of two Castellax in a single day?

I dunno, but I’m about to find out. JOB ON!

And managed to get two Castellax from Boxed to Based in a single day.

There’s no stopping me today! Thallaxi now mostly done. Tomorrow I’ll do their green, and any brightening spots.

Oh, and gloop their bases.

Day 231

It’s Thallaxi Thunday!

Ork Flesh done, next up will be the usual spot colours to brighten up and bring out noodly details.

Now just the basing goop to go. Also started blocking in the (many, many, many) metallic areas on the Praevian.

Hated it at first, but now it’s dried and the paint is clinging to the details, much happier. Next will be a thin Agrax wash over the metal to add some definition and light grime.

From there, probably some variant metallics to add interest and pick out noodlys. Finally some red and I’ll call him done.

Oh. Wait. And do bone on the two servo-skulls.

Right, Thallaxi done, and Praevian just needs a little touch up with Grim Black.

Nipped back and did the base rims in Mechanicus Standard Grey, to match my Dark Angela.

That metallic green is working really well on your robots.

Wow, real nice

Today, I do work on epic scale Predators, which will leave me with no LI left to paint.

After that? I face a stark choice.

1. Build and arm my remaining 20 MkVI Marines. A unit I keep forgetting is there, awaiting my ministrations.

2. The Grand Embasening. Putting the gloop on 160-180 bases. Not a fun job, but one that’s already well overdue.

No need to bloat the basing of your minis yet futher, and you'll be happy to get back to these forgotten minis when fed up at some point.

I'd say, crack on the bases.

I suppose I could alternate, or indeed do both.

The basing requires some care not to splodge it up the model, but still doesn’t take a lot of time to apply. It does however take Bloody Ages to dry.

With limited workspace on my painting table, I can probably comfortably do 20-30 a day. More if I put some cling film atop The Magic Box O’Stuff, and place based models on that to get them out the way.

And it’s still going to be a repetitive job. So I reckon if I mix in building 5 Marines a day, I’ll get suitable variety in my hobby to keep spirits up.

Think I’ll do a squad of Plasma Guns and a squad of Plasma Cannons. We are the first Legion, therefore All Your Plasma Am Belong To Us.

Day 232

THE EMBASENING. It has begun. Assault Squad and Terminators have their goop. Once dried just need to rim in with Mechanicus Standard Grey.

Also working on the Predators.

Oooh those bots are looking rather nice! I will have to give that recipe a try for the metals

for basing I tend to temporarily stuck figures onto old bases for painting, and then batch paint a whole bunch of bases separately without the worry of splodging goop all over the figures.

Thanks dude

Given I never really painted before this year, kinda mind blowing to hear I may have inspired others.

Also, another 20 in the Mucky Muck.

Day 233

And another 20 glopped.

Have also convinced myself to revisit and detail the command elements a wee bit. Nothing extreme, just picking out some noddlies.

And 30 more.

Stop, the Doc, can’t stop the Doc.

Guess what?

That’s all my infantry squads based.

Just 10 Dreads (2 Levis, 2 Doritos, 8 Contemptors) and 2 characters to go.

Which will mean I’m nearly free to get going on those remaining unbuilt 20 MkVI Marines.




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It’s done. All basing done.

All that’s left for my Dark Angels is to build, arm and paint a couple of support squads of some kind.

Wait, you sonic or what? Now that's progress

Not Sonic, just oddly self motivating!

Gonna dig out the unbuilt Astartes tonight I think. And their bases. And the heat based Heavy Weapons.

Don't know if you're doc, but you sure mad.

Again, very nice progress and thrilled to follow that along

It’s genuinely done wonders for my mental health. Probably because it’s brought some kind of structure to my evenings. But also, getting that further value from all the many, many things I’ve bought over the past couple of years.

Not gonna present it as a miracle mental health panacea of course. But, if you’re already in the hobby and have paints? Had to be worth a go, surely?

There definitely a great help, such activities. While faith what truly got me up whenever life derailed younger, these activities like wargaming and painting were undoubtedly a necessary tool to find something comfortable in daily life. I'm really happy that it helped, and probably still helps you sort that out!

It’s something which, in hindsight, I’ve probably lived with for around 33 years or so. But I only got diagnosed in much more recent years.

Mental health being mental health. It’s something you have to manage rather than hope to cure. And my hobby and hobbies are part of that. They can be a constructive way to jump the tracks of your train of thought.

As folk will know from this thread and other posts on Dakka, I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my Dad in early July, which causes a necessary hiatus on my hobby silliness.

But once I started to get a lid, handle and a fancy napkin on the grief, the hobby helped me. It gave me something else to focus my mind on, even if it’s just a few minutes here, hour there, half a day there. And so I got a break from myself in a healthy way.


And with this particular project and this very blog? I was able to measure my post-grief progress. In earlier months I was making stupidly rapid progress, like getting the Speed Paint on a couple of squads of Marines of an evening. And I know I felt great for doing it. This past weekend? I took a shiny new kits from Boxed to Based in a single day. And without pushing myself.

This is why I encourage every hooman bean to indulge in a hobby, and ideally a creative one. Because it’s nice to be able to do something for yourself. And for me? To have something to show for having done that.

Day 234

Early start, with bit more Grim Black on the Predators. Done during a team meeting when my input wasn’t required.

No reason I can’t get these finished by end of the day.

Just the read to go now.

And done.

Now planning ahead, as it’s high time I got my Eldar done.

Going Atlansar, and I think I want to use Gal Vorbak Red as my base colour, Nuln oil/black wash as a recess shade, then Screamer Pink for highlights?

LES ELDARS, OSENT ATTAQUER MA BAAAASE? JE BRISERAI LEURS FRELES OS EN DEUX! ET JE ME LAVERAI LES MAINS, DANS LEUR SAAAANG!.

sorry for that french version of Crull from Dawn if War winter assault landing hard on this thread. But reading eldar always brings back that memory.

Mon dieu!

Right, early but not currently photo worth start to Day 235

Been to the Room O’Stuff, and located the Marines and Heavy Weapons still on sprue. And their bases.

Definitely doing a squad of 10 Plasma Cannons, because nothing says “gerrof moi laaaaand” quite like lobbing tiny suns around.

The other 10? Plasma Guns, I think.

Excellent work on getting all the basing done, they look impressive all lined up like that! Looking forward to seeing it all ranked up with the dreads. I sort of wish 40k Marines were being handled in the same way as 30k ones... the core armour types as a box each, and then upgrade sprues of equipment would be great!

I can fully understand how the hobby helps get through things. We lost Mum about the same time, and doing bits of painting has helped distract me as well. Not to the same level of productivity as you though!

Makes me wonder how actual plasma cutters work though.

Is the room o stuff cleaner already with all these tiny men soldiers painted and ranked nice and close in the shelves?

Oh the Room O’Stuff is never clean as such. Many hobby projects. Many boxes. Got my three printers, my PC, my other craft gubbins and so on.

But here’s the first five Plasma Cannons assembled. Four parts each, with the targetter/scope being a wee bit fiddly. Now on to the others.

Which are now done. From here, assemble 10 bods, grouping them in construction order to be matched up with the right arms.

10 bods built, but lunch break over so back to the grindstone. Also gives these a solid chance to dry, before I go mucking about mounting the arms.

First one done. Now the first five.

Fun, fun fun, in the sun, sun sun. Squad assembled.

Now to decide what the last 10 are to be armed with.

those are coming along quickly! Very chonky plasma cannons...

*I do not want to do 30k as well. I do not want to do 30k as well...*

Yeah you do.

I'd forgotten the 30k Plasma Cannon had gone back to being shoulder-mounted. Hopefully that wouldn't make them too awkward to get into a case.

Depends on the case, I guess?

Pyramidal foam teeth? No problem.

Wee boxes for each model? May not be high enough.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
And now I’m stuck.

Got the next five bodies built, and the regular infantry arms cleaned up for them.

But I dunno what I want to arm them with.

Gonna wander off and have dinner, maybe sleep on it.

Went with PLLLLAAAAAAAASSSSSSSMAAAAAAAAAAA

And a momentous occasion.

The two following pics stand testament to the fact I now have zero unassembled and entirely unpainted Heresy models. And there’s a good chance that by the end of the weekend? It’ll all be fully painted.

Nice position to be in, Doc - any plans to add the Lion, or DA-specific units?

In due course. As I’ll be buying a home in the as yet to be determined but not too distant future, I’m going easy on purchases.

But fancier toys will be on the agenda eventually. Particularly keen on the Terminators.

I missed a few days of Dakka and you've done an army!

Based. I’ve based an army!

And as I’ve smashed my weekly target, it’s Friday and I need to leave something for me to do next week? I think there’ll be some extra hobby time today. Which is handy, as Grim Black takes a while to dry.

Day 236

Pre-speed paint drybrush on the Infantry. Will be doing the Grim Black later.

All done in Grim Black. Next up is to whip round the piping and that in Gun Metal, the Dreaded Reddening, then any tidy up. After that, basing. And I’ll be done.

All of it.

Honestly wasn’t sure I’d get to this stage.

Day 237

I have Hobbied, and Hobbied hard. But it was making little ghost trinkets and potions with my friend and her girls.

I’ll get some painting done in a bit though. But probably only a wee bit.

Day 238

Just the 8 Heavy Plasma Guns to go with the metallics.

From there, do the eyes and base red, tidy up any splodges with some Grim Black, top coat red, and basing gloop.

Very, very excited to get all this done and dusted.

Metallics done, and managed to horribly splodge the last Heavy Plasam Gun. But….first red next, then Grim Black tidy up, top red and base.

Super close to being finished.

First red down. Soon as that’s dried, tidy up the Grim Black, and final red. Oh, and the Plasma Glow. I mustn’t forget that, as it should make the pop.

Just the bases to go.